33 EFF members hospitalised after Tuesday violence
Ms Mhlongo further said the EFF had opened a case of intimidation following the Tuesday attack when EFF leader, Julius Malema visited the families of two deceased EFF members.
Following Tuesday’s violence which erupted in Tembisa during an EFF visit to Sethokga Hostel, the party’s regional communications officer, Ms Fikile Mhlongo, said 33 EFF members were attacked, injured and later hospitalised when they gathered for a meeting on Tuesday night.
Ms Mhlongo further said the EFF had opened a case of intimidation following the Tuesday attack when EFF leader, Julius Malema visited the families of two deceased EFF members.
Violence erupted when a group of men, allegedly armed with sjamboks and knobkierries, attacked party members and the media. A journalist was injured during the attack.
This was followed by an EFF visit to police in Tembisa to follow-up on investigations into the deaths of EFF members Tsietsi Mothibe and Kenny Matjamane.
“We had insight into one of the dockets and were told the other docket was with the provincial police for investigation. Our members were again attacked later that night during a meeting,” said Ms Mhlongo.
Malema has since accused the police in Tembisa of incompetence. The Tembisa SAPS’ General Vincent Leshabane said EFF members had contravened the law by not asking permission to march.
Previously reported
The hostel has made headline news since the start of 2016.
The Tembisan previously reported that disgruntled hostel residents were up in arms, protesting against the Ekurhuleni Department of Human Settlements for not providing them with the new family units and single units built nearby their residence.
In April, Tembisa commuters at Oakmoor battled to board taxis and trains as residents of Sethokga Hostel barricaded the roads with heavy rocks and burning tyres. Nyari, Lobolo, Molaudzi, Andrew Mapheto and Brian Mazibuko streets were barricaded and some of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) buildings at Sethokga were set alight, including the ward councillor’s office.
Oakmoor Railway Station was also closed off with burning tyres and rocks, preventing trains from Pretoria to Johannesburg from servicing commuters at Oakmoor.
In March, the Tembisan reported that Sethokga Hostel residents handed over a memorandum and accused Clr Lesetja Mohlpamaswe of misconduct.
Residents demanded that he step down and they objected to the “unexplained” demolition of the hostel.
BREAKING NEWS: Violence erupts at Sethokga Hostel
UPDATE: Situation calm following reported violence at Sethokga Hostel
Watch- Malema attacked in Sethokga Hostel
Watch: Malema calls police commander ‘useless’
GALLERY: Group reportedly attacks EFF members
